NEW audio footage appears to show VAR officials get the rules completely wrong leading to a decision that almost certainly cost Barcelona.
The Spanish giants were in action against Getafe back in August and hunting for a late winner when they thought they were awarded a penalty.
Following an alleged foul on Ronald Araujo, referee Soto Grado went over to the pitchside monitor to review the footage.
After the review, Grado deemed there to have been a handball offence by Barcelona player Gavi, so controversially ruled a free-kick to Getafe rather than awarding a penalty.
The teams drew the game 0-0 thanks to the decision which came right at the end of the match.
However, the audio files of that game have now been published, causing fresh controversy.
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According to Mundo Deportivo, a voice can be heard at the start of the recording saying: “Caution Gavi”.
But the report states that the voice is NOT of the referee or VAR referee, Iglesias Villanueva.
It is not clear whether the voice was from one of the on-field or fourth officials or from the VAR assistant.
If it is determined that the voice came from an official on the field of play, there would be no issue.
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On the other hand, if the voice is deemed to have come from VAR then it would represent them overstepping what they are allowed to do.
Football rule makers Ifab state a VAR review can only be initiated by the on-field referee and can only intervene at certain times.
Mourinhoβs BIGGEST Barcelona bust-ups over the years
These are:
- 1. Goal/no goal
- 2. Penalty/no penalty
- 3. Direct red card (not second yellow card/caution)
- 4. Mistaken identity (when the referee cautions or sends off the wrong player of the offending team)
Barcelona are said to have communicated “great discomfort” towards the news.
The Catalan club are enduring a nightmare season, currently sit third in the LaLiga table, eight points behind Real Madrid in first.
So bad have things become that manager Xavi announced he would be stepping down at the end of the season.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
